The GM VCSE Reference Group is now the GM VCSE Leadership Group
The VCSE Devolution Reference Group was formed in 2016 as a coalition of leaders from the VCSE sector who wanted to promote the role and involvement of the VCSE sector and communities in Greater Manchester devolution.
The group now oversee a number of significant projects/initiatives and feel that they need a name that better reflects the work that they do. After careful consideration the group will now be called the GM VCSE Leadership Group with the strapline: ‘the sector’s voice in Devolution’.
Warren Escadale, Independent Chair of the group, said:
“We believe that our sector plays a critical role in our communities. As a leadership group we want to make sure that voluntary, community, and social enterprise groups and organisations are not taken for granted and that we influence the future of Greater Manchester and the devolution agenda. Greater Manchester’s 16,000 groups cannot engage in everything but we need to make sure, collectively, that our sector is better understood, that where groups can be engaged they are engaged, and that we are fighting for the principles and programmes of activity that benefit and support our communities and beneficiaries.”
A new website will be launched soon that will explain more about the group, who they are, how they operate and what they do. In the meantime you can find out more on Voluntary Sector North West’s website here.
Recruitment opportunity - VCSE Mental Health Leadership Group
The Greater Manchester VCSE Mental Health Forum is in the process of evolving the way that the VCSE sector works with the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership and the wider system around mental health.
They have listened to concerns about the existing representative structure and have developed a more proactive way of working and are now seeking fifteen active leaders to form a new VCSE Mental Health Leadership group. This will comprise one active leader from each locality plus a further five additional leaders representing communities of identity and work being done on a greater Manchester level. They expect that the roles will result in extra work in terms of attending meeting and bringing together colleagues and, in acknowledgement of that, each leader's organisation will receive £1,500 per year as a contribution toward the time used.
They are looking to hear from those who are already operating as a leader in relation to supporting people's mental health within their localities or across Greater Manchester and are particularly interested in hearing from those who feel they are yet to feel that their voices and passion are yet to be fully utilised.
There are two different Expression of Interest forms, one for those looking to become a locality lead and one for those wishing to be considered as system leads. Please check that you are completing the correct form.
If you have any queries about which form would be the most suitable for you to complete or any other questions about the process please contact either simone.spray@42ndstreet.org.uk or stewart.lucas@manchestermind.org
Completed Expression of Interest forms should be forwarded to via e-mail to kat.rado-barnes@gmcvo.org.uk by 9am on Monday 4th November 2019.
What’s next for the VCSE sector in Greater Manchester? Have your say
The Greater Manchester VCSE Leadership Group with support from colleagues at the GMCA have developed a VCSE Policy Position Paper which sets out a long term ambition for the VCSE sector in Greater Manchester.
Please share your views on the draft Paper. Does it describe a way forward that is meaningful for all VCSE organisations?
The paper builds on the Accord with Mayor of Greater Manchester and GM Combined Authority (GMCA), and the Memorandum of Understanding with the GM Health and Social Care Partnership.
It is intended to be really ambitious, describing a future role equal to those of the state and business. It sets out what our sector could bring over the next 25 years to Greater Manchester people and communities, and what would need to be done to enable it, including investment.
It isn’t an action plan, but after the Policy Paper is finalised in November an ‘implementation and transformation plan’ will be developed over the following year in each of the 10 localities as well as for Greater Manchester. The plans will vary, but will all be co-designed with relevant partners within the broad framework set out in this Paper.
Please respond to the online survey and/or come to a consultation event (dates and venues will be advertised once agreed). The survey is open until 30th September 2019.
The draft Executive Summary can be viewed online here. If you would like a copy of the full document, please email Katya Pursall (kat.pursall@gmail.com)